ANDY ROBINSON "had to go" as England head coach, according to former international Stuart Barnes.

Former England fly-half Barnes believes English rugby supporters will be "relieved" to see the back of the Robinson years.

"I thought it would happen 24 hours earlier," he said

"To some extent there will relief in English rugby. It had become very messy and painful.

"Andy Robinson’s statement (after last Saturday’s defeat to South Africa) saying ‘I can still do the job’ starts to look slightly delusional now.

"Yes there have been problems between club and country but England did not perform to their maximum level, whatever that was, this autumn.

"They have not done it since he took charge of England. Their record as world champions is appalling – he had to go.

"From an English perspective fans will be delighted there has been a break from a failed regime. And that is what it is."

Former England scrum-half Dewi Morris echoed that sentiment, adding: "He (Robinson) is a likeable guy but he was not up to the role in charge of creating success for England."

But legendary New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall, who feels Robinson was hampered by a lack of preparation time granted to him by the game’s hierarchy.

He said: "I actually sympathise with him because I understand his grievances with not having the time, I believe, to prepare a team of internationals. That affects confidence, everybody starts to doubt."